In somewhat of a domino effect, “The Talk” announced Sunday it would push back its return following Barrymore’s announcement, a CBS spokesperson told Variety. Both shows had halted production amid the Hollywood strike but planned to return this fall.
Similarly, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” announced it would remain on pause. Last week, it had announced plans to return during the strike shortly after Barrymore made her initial decision.
Barrymore announced on Sept. 10 that “The Drew Barrymore Show” would kick up production again amid the writers’ and actors’ strikes, which led to protests and picketing from the Writers Guild of America outside her New York studio last week.
Writers have been on strike for more than four months, campaigning for better pay and protections in the streaming era. The Screen Actors Guild started its own strike in July over similar issues, including better residual pay from streaming services. The “Drew Barrymore Show” employs three WGA writers, all of whom picketed outside the show’s taping last week.
“I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon,” Barrymore wrote on Instagram on Sunday. Representatives for Barrymore did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CBS originally announced in early September that Barrymore’s show would return for a new season with a premiere date of Sept. 18. A CBS Media spokesperson said Sunday that the company stands with Barrymore.
“We support Drew’s decision to pause the show’s return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her,” the spokesperson said.
As taping was underway on Monday and Tuesday, those who attended said they were greeted by WGA protesters and picketers, who chanted phrases like “CBS! You are a mess!” and “We expect more from Drew Barry-more!” Some audience members were handed WGA support pins. According to multiple reports, two Barrymore fans wearing WGA pins were asked to leave the taping for security reasons.
“The Guild has, and will continue to, picket struck shows that are in production during the strike. Any writing on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ is in violation of WGA rules,” a post on the WGA East’s Instagram account said last week.
Her decision to resume production also prompted the National Book Awards to rescind its invitation to Barrymore to host the next ceremony. Writers on social media criticized Barrymore for moving ahead with the taping. In May, Barrymore declined to host the MTV Movie and TV Awards to support the strike.
A number of daytime talk shows have remained in production despite the strike, including “The View.” Similarly, “Jeopardy!” announced in August that it would return with recycled questions for its 40th season.
